Outaouais man handed lifetime ban from owning animals

An Outaouais man has been banned for life from owning animals following a 10-year investigation by the Outaouais SPCA.

Quebec Court Justice of the Peace Christine Auger announced the sentence in a Gatineau, Que., courtroom on Thursday.

It's the first time someone charged with animal crueltyin Quebec has been banned from owning animals, the SPCA said in a news release.

Alain Marchandof Danford Lake, Que., about 90 kilometres northwest of Ottawa, was convicted of three counts of animal cruelty under Quebec's Animal Health Protection Act. He was ordered to pay $1,800 in fines.

It comes after the Outaouais SPCA seized four dogs from Marchand at multiple addresses over more than 10 years, the SPCA said. The animals were living in unhealthy conditions, some of them suffering from malnutrition and serious injuries.

Criminal charges are expected, according to the SPCA.